Beth is twenty-three years old post graduate student in medical science, mother of 3 years old twin daughters. During our casual conversation, she shared that she had recently become increasingly concerned about her mother, who works as a chemistry instructor. A few days earlier, Beth had visited her mother’s home noticed that her mom appeared unusually preoccupied with cleanliness. She observed her repeatedly mopping the floor after family members had walked across it, carefully following their footsteps and cleaning the same areas several times. Witnessing this behaviour led Beth to believe that her mom might be suffering from Obsessive_ Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
I explained to Beth that it is important not to place a psychiatric label on someone based solely on a single observation or a limited number of behaviours. “Many factors, including temporary stress, anxiety, fatigue, major life events, personality traits, cultural practices, or situational circumstances, can influence a mental health disorder.”
While repetitive cleaning can be one feature associated with OCD, the diagnosis is far more complex. It requires a comprehensive clinical assessment conducted by a qualified mental health professional. The clinician evaluates the nature of the thoughts and behaviours, their frequency, duration, severity, associated distress, and the context to which they interfere with daily functioning. A diagnosis should only be considered when symptoms are persistent, cause significant distress, and impair occupational, social, or personal functioning.
I reassured Beth that her concern for her mother reflected genuine love and care. However, I also encouraged her to observe the situation with patience rather than jumping to conclusions. If these behaviours continue over time, become more frequent, or begin to interfere with her mother’s daily life or emotional wellbeing, seeking a professional psychologist or psychiatric assessment would be the most appropriate course f action.
This case serves as an important reminder that while increasing public awareness of mental health is valuable, self-diagnosis and diagnosing others without appropriate clinical assessment can lead to misunderstanding, unnecessary anxiety, and stigma.
Careful observation, compassion, and professional evaluation remain essential in promoting accurate diagnosis and effective support.
According to Beth, her mother was an only child whose parents devoted considerable attention to her education and personal development from an early age. They encouraged her to pursue excellence in multiple areas of life. During childhood, she began formal dance training with the goal of becoming a successful ballerina, at the age of twelve, she had participated in numerous local and national dance competitions, earning several awards, including a gold medal in recognition of her outstanding performance.
Alongside her artistic training, high academic achievement was strongly emphasised within the family. Beth described her mother as having grown up in a high disciplined household where excellence was consistently expected, both academically, and extracurricular activities. She was encouraged to perform at the highest possible standard and developed a strong sense of responsibility, perseverance, and self- discipline. Beth also reflected that although her mother was deeply loved by her parents, expressions of approval and affection often appeared to be closely associated with her achievements.
Success was celebrated and reinforced which may have contributed to the development of exceptionally high personal standards and a strong drive for perfection.
While such parenting can foster resilience, motivation, and remarkable accomplishments, it may also, in some individuals, contribute to perfectionistic tendencies and an increased sensitivity to mistakes and perceived imperfections.
It is important to recognise, however, that these developmental experiences alone do not indicate the presence of psychological disorder, rather, they provide valuable background information that may help clinician understand an individual’s personality, coping style, and behavioural patterns if a comprehensive assessment later becomes necessary.
As our casual conversation continued, Beth described her mother as a highly respected chemistry instructor who was well known for her warm, kind, and gentle personality. She had always enjoyed working collaboratively with colleagues and was regarded as a caring and supportive member of her workplace.
More recently, however, Beth noticed a change in her mother’s response to minor work-related events. She explained that her mother made two small mistakes at work. According to Beth, these errors were relatively insignificant: no one was harmed, no damage occurred, and the incidents were resolved without any serious consequences.
After returning home, Beth observed that her mother repeatedly reflected on these events in her journal. She continued to write about the mistakes and expressed the belief that they “should never have happened “. Beth felt that her mother appeared to be judging herself far more harshly than the circumstances warranted and seemed unable to let the incidents go, despite their minor nature.
I explained to Beth that many conscientious and highly responsible individuals naturally reflect on their performance and learn from their mistakes. However, when self-criticism becomes persistent, disproportionate to the situation and begins to interfere with emotional well being or daily functioning, it may warrant further attention. Such observations should be considered within the broader context of the person’s history, personality, current stressors, and overall mental health rather than viewed in isolation.
One possible psychological interpretation is that the seemingly minor mistakes at work activated deeply rooted beliefs that had developed over many years. Having grown up in an environment where excellence was strongly emphasised and achievement was frequently reinforced; Beth’s mother may have found it particularly difficult to accept even small imperfections. Instead of viewing the incidents as ordinary learning experiences, she appeared to respond with intense self-blame and self-criticism.
It is possible that the repeated cleaning and heightened attention to her surrounding were not simply behaviours related to cleanliness but represented coping strategies aimed at reducing internal tension and restoring a sense of order and control. Such responses can sometimes emerge when individuals experience significant psychological stress, particularly if they hold perfectionistic standards or are highly conscientious.
Beth also shared that her mother had been continuously working for the past nine months without taking a significant break or adequate rest which contributed to her physical and emotional fatigue and reduced her ability to recover from everyday demands.
I finally suggested that it might be beneficial for Beth to encourage her mother to take a short holiday or a period of restorative leave. Stepping away from the workplace, even temporarily, may provide an opportunity to rest, regain perspective, and reduce accumulated stress. For some individuals, this alone can lead to noticeable improvements in emotional wellbeing and coping.
At the same time, I emphasised that if her mother’s behaviours, self-blame, or heightened anxiety persist despite adequate rest, or if they begin to interfere with her daily functioning, occupational performance, or quality of life, it would be advisable to seek a comprehensive assessment from a qualified mental health professional. Early assessment can help clarify the underlying causes of her symptoms and ensure that appropriate support and intervention are provided if needed.